At nearly $5 million, a 1959 Ferrari took the top price at this year's Pebble Beach collector car auctions.

By Sue Zesiger Callaway, Fortune

1 of 10

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder

Sold for: $4,950,000

RM Auctions

The top-selling car at Pebble Beach this year (nearly as big an honor as winning the prestigious Concours d'Elegance itself), this Ferrari is special in several ways. Beyond being one of the most desirable Ferrari designs of all time, this particular car is one of only seven original alloy-bodied examples ever built.

Bob Grossman drove this car to a first in class - and 5th place overall - finish at the 1959 "24 Hours of Le Mans." The car is fitted with several factory upgrades, including larger carburetors that boost output to 262-horsepower, stiffer suspension and an oversized fuel tank. It continued to win that year and the following until newer, more competitive successors finally caused Grossman to retire the car.